Free legal aid available to flood victims

People affected by flooding in the late September deluge in North Carolina's eastern counties can get free legal advice about accessing federal assistance, negotiating clean-up and repair contracts, insurance claims and other issues from the Disaster Legal Services hot line at 1-800-662-7407.

The hot line is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to anyone who needs legal advice.

It is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association and the Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. It is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Lawyers, who are volunteering their time, are asked only to offer advice on issues related to the recent flooding.